D-7 Visa FAQ — Common Problems When Preparing an Application or Extension

Overview

When preparing a D-7 (intra-company assignment) application or extension, people tend to get stuck at the same points: which type of application to file, a shortfall in the one-year work record, how to obtain headquarters documents, and a change of affiliation inside the group. This article gathers the answers to these questions in the order in which to check them.

It is not about denial reasons. It sets out what to confirm, and in what order, before you file. For periods and yes-or-no judgments that have no fixed rule, confirm with the competent Immigration Office. Approval is decided by examination.

At a Glance

Scope of Activity

• Problem-solving checks to confirm when preparing a D-7 application or extension (type, work requirement, documents, staying in Korea, moves within the group)
• Key documents by application type, plus the rules on documents issued abroad and on omitting documents
• Out of scope: denial reasons (a separate article), judging the likelihood of approval, processing time, and other statuses such as accompanying family (F-3)

Who Qualifies

• Staff at a Korean branch or subsidiary preparing a D-7 visa issuance confirmation or change of status for the first time
• D-7 assignees facing an extension who want to sort out which documents to assemble
• Employees about to be dispatched who have to obtain headquarters documents from abroad
• D-7 holders whose workplace is changing within the same corporate group

Required Documents

• Your current situation: before entry (visa issuance confirmation), holding another status in Korea (change of status), staying on D-7 (extension), or moving within the same group (report of changes)
• The dispatch order issued by headquarters (stating the dispatch period; for an extension, the dispatch order or a certificate of employment from the foreign head office) and the certificate of employment from the overseas company
• A résumé or career certificate proving essential specialist status, and material showing the one-year work record
• Copy of the branch establishment permit (or acceptance of report), proof of operating funds (foreign exchange purchase certificate, lease, etc.), and for a new office an operating plan and tax record
• For an extension: proof of personal tax payment (the original, or last year's withholding receipt, or an income amount certificate) and proof of residence (lease, accommodation confirmation, notice of stay expiry mailed to you, utility bill receipt, dormitory fee receipt, etc.)
• Apostille or consular confirmation for documents issued abroad, and the issue date of documents issued in Korea (within 3 months of issue where no other validity period is set)
• For a move within the same group: the original dispatch order (issued by the foreign head office), proof the companies are in the same group (certified corporate registry, etc.), and for the added or new workplace proof of operating funds, the original certified corporate registry and a copy of the business registration

Application Process

1. Check eligibility — confirm your current status, career, degree and contract type match the requirements.
2. Prepare documents — foreign public documents need a translator's certification plus an apostille (or consular confirmation for non-member states).
3. Book a visit — reserve a slot at your Immigration Office via HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr), or file online where e-Application is available.
4. File and pay — submit the Integrated Application Form (Form No. 34) and pay the screening fee.
5. Review — respond to any request for supplementary documents within the deadline.
6. Result — on approval, the period of stay and status are granted; reissue your ARC if required.

Key Points

• The one-year work requirement has stated exceptions. The one-year rule is not applied to persons who will work in national key industries or national projects, or where the Minister of Justice finds it necessary, and those who qualify under Business Investment (D-8) are excluded from this category. Ask the competent office which applies to you.
• A move within the same group may be handled as a report. When a D-7 or D-9 holder moves within the same corporate group, the documents such as the original dispatch order are collected and the matter is handled as a report of changes in alien registration details, and the deadline for reporting a change or addition of affiliation is 15 days from the change.
• A D-8 holder moving to D-7 at a foreign company in the same group needs a change of status. Required documents include a statement of reasons and the original dispatch order or a certificate of prospective employment, and newly established branches and applicants with past Immigration Act violations must be investigated.
• Documents can be added or omitted. The reviewing office may add or omit some attachments to examine the purpose of entry and the genuineness of the invitation, and documents already submitted and kept in the registered foreigner's record may be omitted. Documents that can be checked through shared administrative information, such as the business registration and proof of tax payment, are attached only if the data subject does not consent.
• This article does not predict approval. For anything without a fixed period, ask the receiving office.
• Documents issued in Korea must normally be dated within 3 months unless another validity period applies.
• Documents already on file in your alien registration record need not be resubmitted.
• Health certificates, drug test results and pre-employment medical reports must be submitted sealed by the issuing hospital (do not open).
• You must be in Korea when applying; leaving the country after filing may result in refusal.
• Screening fees are non-refundable once the application is accepted.
• The head of the Immigration Office may add or waive documents where necessary for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

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